Ask Joe: Fines for drivers who ignore wind warnings?

Question:From the Ask Joe file a question about weather and traffic rules.Corrine wrote in asking what are the consequences are for big drivers who ignore the high wind warnings when they are posted in places like Washoe Valley ?

Answer:It's a good question. The warning was in place today through Washoe Valley because the gusty winds kicked up and were considered dangerous for high profile vehicles. Messages were posted on electronic signs prohibiting big trucks from using the highway. I checked with Trooper Chuck Allen with the Nevada Highway Patrol. He says normally if a citation is written for this traffic offense, it would be called failure to obey a traffic control device. Similar to running a stop sign. The device in this case being ignored would be the digital messaging sign indicating trucks , buses and RV's over nine feet high which are prohibited from proceeding. The fine for this violation is 200 dollars along with four points assessed against your drivers license. So they do take it seriously and often when that wind warning is in effect you will see an NHP trooper in place making sure drivers obey the law.

I've seen NHP's commercial units stopping trucks all the time when the wind warning is in effect. Over years of commuting from Reno to Carson I have also seen a trailer blown over on its side, a tall camper ripped off a pickup truck and laying in the ditch and a boat dislodged from its trailer with the trailer under the back end of the truck. All caused from wind. The signs are there for a reason. I would hate to be in the car buried under the tractor trailer box in one of those accidents.